2004 480 Sedan Bridge / Man engines - About to pull the Trigger

MXXS

Member
Jul 13, 2020
32
92886
Boat Info
2004, Sea Ray 480 Sedan Bridge, Man Engines
Engines
2 x 690 HP Man Engines
Sea Trial Survey complete
Sea Trial Engine Survey Complete - Man engines..
Oil Samples are back tomorrow... Yikes looks like about to pull the trigger..

Past owner didn't maintain the boat so I have a lot of work ahead of me. I think I'm making the right choice (Negotiated a solid price) but any advice on service and parts would be great.. She's in Miami now, so trying to get a lot of the work done there.

Needs
  • A good Man Engine Mechanic to do the 1000 hour service
  • Isinglass - Bridge and aft Cockpit
  • Air conditioning - need to be replaced
  • Bathroom Mirrors - refinished
  • Re-upholstery - inside and out
  • Flooring - Salon and Staterooms (thinking of going all wood or laminate) - any opinions
  • Aft Cockpit, Bridge, TNT Platform - Plexiteek - any Vendor suggestions
  • Water Heater - need a vendor
  • Port Side Guest Head - Repair Vendor
  • Boat Transporter - Miami to West coast via Canal
and the list goes on and on. If anyone knows of any vendors in the Miami area that are reputable I'd definitely appreciate a referral.

have a great day on the water fellow "Skippers"..

Max
IMG_2272.JPG
 
Wow, I can't imagine buying a boat needing that kind of work. I hope you got it for at least $100,000 below market. A boat that neglected and in need of so much work will certainly have hidden issues pop up as well. Its a great way to end up with the boat you want because so much will be brand new and your choice when its done but unless you do a lot it yourself I see $50 to $75 grand in work coming up. Be sure to post pics of the journey and I hope it all works out as planned.
Carpe Diem
 
side note, tried to post a pic and it came put sideways.. strange...

Thanks Carpe, yes well under market of other 480 DB.. and the price to restore I'm estimating a budget of approx. 60k.. "I hope".. !

Will do about the pics and the journey. I did find a transporter from Miami to Ensenada, Mx for $23,800.00. anyone know if that's about right?
 
Wow. Good luck. You must really want that particular boat I guess.

I'd suggest that you try to do as much as possible/feasible in your home marina/state. The technicians and mechanics are super busy in Miami. I mean like the busiest they have been on over 15 years according to my boating friends and mechanics down there. If they uncover the fact that your boat won't be around you will have a very good chance that: 1) they will push your boat to the back of the list while they focus on the steady customer base, 2) 'cut corners' on their work and/or 3) make it more difficult should you need warranty/follow-up work after repairs are made.
 
never thought of that.. My thoughts were to keep her in Miami for 4 to 6 months and cruise in and around the area, Bahamas, Turks and Cacaos, etc.. and ship her in late December or January - thought I'd never have another opportunity to have "my" boat in the Caribbean - but your comments are warranted and makes sense.

May have to rethink exactly what I need done just to get by for East Coast Island trips..

thanks gerryb!
 
Max, First congratulations on the new boat. Next, I slightly disagree with leaving the East coast that quick. I think your first instincts are correct. There is nothing on the West Coast like the Bahamas and even the Lower Keys. I would do what had to be done and then go through the Bahamas and Florida Keys and then Transport it to MX. If you reside on the West Coast you may never get this chance again? Good luck and GOD speed. JC
 
Thanks JC3.. I do reside on the west coast... having to charter a boat to cruise the Caribbean is a little depressing especially if you have a boat.. (not to depressing, I mean come on.. I'm still on a charter in the Caribbean)... I'm still going to stick to my plan.. asking for anyone great referrals for Vendors to do the work would greatly be appreciated though..

Most important form e is the Engines
Most important for my Fiance is Air conditioning, hot water heater and guest head..

thanks guys..
 
Got it... wasn't aware of the desire to hang in the Southeast for a bit. I think that is a great idea if you can pull it off. So then get the important things scheduled and completed asap and see about getting her out to the bahamas before the big trip west. Your items from post 4 would be on target except I might add a glass panel replacement if they are in bad shape.
 
Congrats on the new boat. There is a 480 DB thread here with all things 480 —> http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/480-db-owners-club.34810/. Not sure what your boat background is or comfort turning wrenches is, but you can learn to do a lot of the basic and even some “advanced” stuff and cut your $$$ down!

Seems most of these 480’s have Cummins/CAT power, so having MAN engines means you need a MAN Man. There is also a thread dedicated to the 580 Sedan Bridge here —> http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/58-sedan-bridge-official-thread.90211/

Lots of MAN Owners in there. You might want to touch base with @carterchapman. He winters in Cape Coral and I think he has a MAN Man he like very much! At least based on what he pays the guy!:p
 
Last edited:
Wow, I can't imagine buying a boat needing that kind of work. I hope you got it for at least $100,000 below market. A boat that neglected and in need of so much work will certainly have hidden issues pop up as well. Its a great way to end up with the boat you want because so much will be brand new and your choice when its done but unless you do a lot it yourself I see $50 to $75 grand in work coming up. Be sure to post pics of the journey and I hope it all works out as planned.
Carpe Diem

If there's one thing you'll hear over and over about buying a boat with Diesel engines....."as long as they've been maintained......" I totally agree that a boat that neglected will have many many hidden issues. It's a dog with fleas and based on what I've just read in this thread this boat will consume you for years to come....mentally, physically and financially. The neglected MAN engines alone could easily put you behind the eight ball. I've been boating for 30 years and have owned many boats both used and new, so I'll just suggest you buy one of the many, many, many 480 Sedan Bridges that are for sale that have been properly maintained. If you do you'll keep the hair on your head and your money in your wallet! Just my 2 cents.
 
Last edited:
side note, tried to post a pic and it came put sideways.. strange...

Thanks Carpe, yes well under market of other 480 DB.. and the price to restore I'm estimating a budget of approx. 60k.. "I hope".. !

Will do about the pics and the journey. I did find a transporter from Miami to Ensenada, Mx for $23,800.00. anyone know if that's about right?
That seems about right, It was $15,000 to transport a 420 from Seattle to San Francisco area.
CD
 
Good luck on the adventure -
I did something similar to you, I bought a boat in Ft Lauderdale and left it there for a few months to take advantage of a Bahama's run before heading back to Texas with it.
I used Scott Marine Power (recommended by Performance Diesel, the North American distributor for MAN engines). They were great to deal with and even made an emergency trip to the keys to help out with a small issue. I'd be sure that you get your main running gear in shape before you leave the dock.
You might want to reach out to your local MAN marine service guys and see if they would recommend a service shop in Miami for you to use. I'd suspect if they're MAN certified they will only refer you to another MAN certified shop.
As for transport, I'd contact Capt Rusty Higgins and see how far he'd be willing to run your boat for you, after that you may need someone for a second leg possibly. For that trip I'd be on board with Rusty as much as you can in order to learn the boat and fetch Rusty a snack when he needs one ... lol
 
  • Like
Reactions: JC3
Good luck on the adventure -
I did something similar to you, I bought a boat in Ft Lauderdale and left it there for a few months to take advantage of a Bahama's run before heading back to Texas with it.
I used Scott Marine Power (recommended by Performance Diesel, the North American distributor for MAN engines). They were great to deal with and even made an emergency trip to the keys to help out with a small issue. I'd be sure that you get your main running gear in shape before you leave the dock.
You might want to reach out to your local MAN marine service guys and see if they would recommend a service shop in Miami for you to use. I'd suspect if they're MAN certified they will only refer you to another MAN certified shop.
As for transport, I'd contact Capt Rusty Higgins and see how far he'd be willing to run your boat for you, after that you may need someone for a second leg possibly. For that trip I'd be on board with Rusty as much as you can in order to learn the boat and fetch Rusty a snack when he needs one ... lol

Thanks for all the insight guys..
 
What a Journey: New Paint, New Isinglass, new custom cockpit enclosure, about to put Plasdeck, new interior and exterior custom re-upholstery, new interior flooring - wood, Refurbish 4 Air conditioners, Massive Engine work, extensive electrical work, fully reconditioned swim step hydraulic work - etc.. etc.. :) and we're off to Ensenada MX to bring her up to Newport Beach. WOW.. (Shout out to La Costa Boat Works - Guillermo really knows his business)..
IMG_3254.jpg
 
What a Journey: New Paint, New Isinglass, new custom cockpit enclosure, about to put Plasdeck, new interior and exterior custom re-upholstery, new interior flooring - wood, Refurbish 4 Air conditioners, Massive Engine work, extensive electrical work, fully reconditioned swim step hydraulic work - etc.. etc.. :) and we're off to Ensenada MX to bring her up to Newport Beach. WOW.. (Shout out to La Costa Boat Works - Guillermo really knows his business)..
View attachment 100087
That’s it ?....one pic ?
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,950
Messages
1,422,861
Members
60,932
Latest member
juliediane
Back
Top